Zoning for wind energy passed by commissioners

JOSH FAHLSING

Published 11:15 am, Monday, April 25, 2016

BAD AXE  The Huron County Board of Commissioners followed the county planning commission's recommendation Tuesday morning and passed two amendments to the county zoning ordinance allowing for the development of wind energy facilities in the county.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd in the board room, commissioners voted 7-0 in favor of both amendments.

Prior to the vote, the board allowed time for public comment and questions. Paris Township's Dan Guza presented the board with a financial impact study he undertook on his own. Guza said he was worried consumers would end up paying more for electricity if the wind turbines didn't operate at the 32 percent capacity discussed in contracts.

"(I think) there is a reasonable chance we're going to see an increase in rates," Guza said. "I want to know what it's going to do for Huron County, its benefit to the community and the costs associated with it. I don't think we know the concrete facts, and if you guys pass the zoning today our negotiating power diminishes."

Huron County Building and Zoning Director Russ Lundberg said after the meeting once the ordinance is in place the wind energy companies interested in Huron County would likely undertake cost-benefit analyses of their own before committing money to such a large project.

Commissioner Don Booms complimented Guza on his work, but said Tuesday's vote was simply to set up a zoning ordinance that covered wind energy.

"Most of what's in (Guza's study) is related to a business plan. That's the wind energy company's problem. If they think they're going to make money, great. If not, why would they do it?" Booms said. "The reason we're here today is for zoning."

Other audience members raised various concerns, including whether or not Huron County would get enough of a benefit to make the project worthwhile.

"I don't think it's right for a company to come into Huron County and draw off our resources and return to the county such a little amount," one man said. "We're a proud county. We have issues with schools, roads, bridges. I think there should be some more investment into the community, not just a little slice of the pie."

Commissioners said it's too early to tell exactly what the economic impact to the county will be, especially since the zoning ordinance had yet to be passed.

Commissioner Ron Wruble said taxation will be a major issue, but it will be up to local taxing units to negotiate deals that will be fair to the county and the wind energy companies.

"The major issue will be in the Bingham Township board's hands. They need to address the situation with tax revenue and what it will do for the community as a whole," Wruble said. "We can pass this as a zoning resolution, but the taxing end is yet to be determined, and, quite frankly, is up to the Bingham Township board."

Wruble said after speaking with members of that board he's confident things will get done correctly.

Booms agreed.

"The tax issue will still need to be addressed," he said. "It's on Bingham Township to tax it accordingly, and I get every indication they will treat wind energy companies like any other business."

Other audience members wondered whether or not the county took enough time to study the terms and conditions of the ordinance. Many said they aren't opposed to wind energy, but said other communities with wind farms had taken several years to craft their ordinances.

Randy Weber of Paris Township presented the board with signatures from people asking for the project to be delayed six months.

Commissioner Jim Leonard said he has gotten "an awful lot of phone calls and letters" running almost 2 to 1 in favor of the project.

"Six months from now it will still be just as contentious an issue, and the facts will not have changed," Leonard said. "The planning commission can't drag its feet without facing litigation."

Lundberg has said the planning commission was able to benefit from the work done in other areas when crafting the Huron County ordinance.

Booms said he was satisfied with the amount of time and energy put in by the planning commission.

"We sent (the ordinance) back to them with some concerns. They addressed them," he said. "I'm not going to disrespect the planning commission's efforts and knowledge."

Booms said after two visits to a wind farm in Fenner, N.Y., he believes he's seen firsthand that people are comfortable with the windmills in that area. He said he's heard from more people in Huron County who wished the project would move forward than those who want it delayed.

"I firmly believe more people are for this project than against it," Booms said.

Bud Leigh said his company has agreed to sign easements for Noble, but said his real estate and appraisal companies are separate from this project.

Leigh said Huron County needs business.

"A key issue in Huron County is we're losing population. We have a declining population in the educational system and a declining revenue stream around Michigan," he said. "From the research I've done since last October, I feel justified in proposing Noble's plan to you."

He then addressed the members of the audience who wished to slow the project down, or stop it altogether.

"If any of you can show me where you have presented anything that brings something into the county, I'd like to hear it," he said. "We need business. We need companies. We have no more U.S. Manufacturing, no more Vultron, no more Carmet. This will at least give us something to build on."

Commissioner Dale Wertz said many landowners in his district are interested in wind turbines and have pushed him to get the project moving forward. Commissioner Dale Koehler said he has had about 14 letters and phone calls in opposition to the project, and "at least twice that many" in favor of it.

Commissioner Bob Haldane said the board's role Tuesday was to establish a set of ordinances to control wind energy facilities, not to debate their merits. He said the ordinance is an important mechanism to allow the county to regulate the industry should it set up shop in the county.

Chairman of the Board Mike Gage, who voted two weeks ago to send the ordinance back to the planning commission, said he was satisfied with the result.

"We want what's best for the county of Huron," Gage said. "Whatever decision we make today we're going to have some people upset and some people happy."

After the resolutions approving the ordinance were passed, Lundberg said the next step involves the state.

"We have to send the entire ordinance to the state," he said. "They look to make sure the process was followed correctly."

The state will have 30 days to review the ordinance and notify the county of its approval. Once notified, the county has 15 days to publish a notice of adoption.

From there, Lundberg said, wind energy companies will be able to submit site review plans to the planning commission.

"I suspect the planning commission will be taking a great deal of time reviewing the site plans," Lundberg said. "We're going to need input from others as well."